- $0 annual fee
- No international transaction fees
- Platinum international travel insurance included
- Purchase protection insurance
- Extended warranty insurance
- 55 days interest-free
- Low minimum credit limit of $3000
- Syncs with a plethora of digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay and Fitbit Pay
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Bendigo Bank Credit Cards
Bendigo Ready Credit Card
Updated 18 June 2025
Looking for swanky champagne style on a beer budget? The Bendigo Ready is all platinum-level extras with no annual fee - ever. You won’t pay international transaction fees, and you’ll get free insurances like international travel. You might find this card worth a look if you want a low-cost credit card, frequently travel or spend overseas.
Purchase Rate (p.a)
19.99%
Balance Transfer (p.a)
19.99%
Annual Fee (p.a)
$0
Pros and cons
- Interest rate is 19.99% (a standard but high rate)
- Interest on cash advances is 19.99% plus a 3% or $3 cash advance fee (whichever is greater)
- 19.99% interest on balance transfers
Creditcard.com.au review
Editor Review
Bendigo Ready Credit Card
Pauline Hatch
Pauline is a personal finance expert at CreditCard.com.au, with 9 years in money, budgeting and property reporting under her belt. Ask Pauline a Question about this card.
The Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card
I’m giving Bendigo Bank an appreciative little nod for how it structured the Bendigo Ready card. It sits nicely in the middle of the credit card market. There’s no annual fee which is great if you’re a first-time ‘credit carder’ or want an emergency fund in your pocket, but it still comes with premium extras that can actually save you money (no international fees, for example).
Here’s how the Bendigo Ready card works.
What we love…
No annual fee. Like an even rarer bird, there is no annual fee. Most cards with no annual fee don’t come with any features, especially complimentary insurances.
No international fees. Particularly useful if you travel a lot or spend money online on international sites, the fee-free foreign currency conversion could save you some cash. Most cards charge around 3% for each transaction.
Purchase protection insurance. Usually reserved for its platinum cards, Bendigo’s purchase protection covers eligible items you bought with your card that are accidentally damaged, permanently lost or stolen. The insurance will pay back the lesser of the original purchase price or up to $5000 (maximum of $25,000 per year). You’ll have to pay a $250 excess for each claim.
Extended warranty insurance. This insurance extends a 1 to 4 year warranty by the same timeframe as the original warranty, starting from the date the manufacturer's warranty expires. For example, a one-year warranty would be extended by another year. A $250 excess applies for this insurance, too.
55 days interest-free. Once the 18-month promotional period ends, you’ll move onto Bendigo Ready’s standard 55 days interest-free. That means you won’t pay interest for 55 days from the start of each statement period on new transactions. Ultimately, if you pay off your balance each month, the 55 days grace means you won’t need to pay interest at all.
What’s not so great…
You’ll pay some fees, but they’re fairly stock-standard. For instance:
- Cash advances (where you withdraw money from the card) are charged at 19.99% interest
- Balance transfers revert to 19.99% interest
- If you’re late on repayments you’ll pay a $15 fee
Other features
- Bendigo Bank has an app called My Bank, where you can activate your card, manage your account and instantly block your card if it’s lost or stolen.
- Bendigo Bank cards can sync with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay and Fitbit Pay for Tap & Go payments from your phone or watch. It uses Mastercard Identity Check, Visa Secure and eftpos Secure to protect you from fraudulent purchases online.
Why should you choose this card?
I said the Bendigo Ready sits in the middle of the market, but it’s also a bit of a standout. It’s got some sparkle. It has no annual fee but still flaunts money-saving features that only Bendigo Bank’s platinum cards have.
While it’s a good all-rounder card, it mostly stands out for those looking for low ongoing costs, an emergency fund, a first-time card, a traveller’s friend or a way to save on overseas fees.
User reviews
Rates and fees
Interest rates
Purchase rate 19.99% p.a.
Cash advance rate 19.99% p.a.
Interest free period on purchases up to 55 days
Balance transfer
Balance transfer rate 19.99% p.a. for 99 months
Balance transfer revert rate 19.99% p.a.
Balance transfer from personal loan N/A
Balance transfer fee No fee
Balance transfer limit 80% of approved credit limit
Brands you can't balance transfer from Bendigo Bank
Credit limits
Minimum credit limit $3000
Maximum credit limit $50,000
Fees & repayments
Annual fee $0 p.a.
Additional cardholder fee $0 p.a. (no limit)
Foreign transaction fee 0%
Minimum repayment $10 or 3%, whichever is greater
Cash advance fee $3.00 or 3% of the transaction amount, whichever is greater
Late payment fee $15
Additional features
Complimentary insurance
International Travel Insurance Yes - up to 3 months
Flight Inconvenience Insurance Yes
Transit Accident Insurance Yes
Smartphone Screen Insurance No
Purchase Protection Insurance Yes
Extended Warranty Insurance Yes
Rental Vehicle Excess In Australia Insurance Yes
Overview
Bendigo Ready Credit Card
The Bendigo Ready Credit Card is a platinum-level card with no annual fee, making it a straightforward option for travellers and everyday users. It has a 19.99% p.a. purchase rate and offers up to 55 days interest-free on purchases when the balance is paid in full each month. There are no international transaction fees, and security features include 24/7 fraud monitoring and Mastercard Zero Liability protection. Cardholders also get complimentary travel insurance (up to 90 days), purchase protection, extended warranty, and rental vehicle excess cover, along with access to Mastercard Priceless Cities experiences and mobile wallet compatibility.
Key features
- $0 annual fee
- No international transaction fees
- Platinum international travel insurance included Purchase protection insurance
- Extended warranty insurance
- 55 days interest-free
- Low minimum credit limit of $3000
- Syncs with a plethora of digital wallets
Minimum criteria to apply for this card
-
Be over 18 years old
-
Good Credit and have not applied for multiple credit cards recently
-
You must be an Australian citizen or have applied for permanent residency with visa subclasses 188, 489, 491, 494 and 482 (short term stream not included), and with minimum 12 months remaining
You have your personal details ready to complete the online application
Pauline is a personal finance expert at CreditCard.com.au, with 9 years in money, budgeting and property reporting under her belt. Pauline is passionate about seeing Aussies win by making their money – and their credit cards – work smarter, harder and bigger
Recently Asked Questions
Something you need to know about this card? Ask our credit card expert a question.
Ask a question79 questions (showing the latest 10 Q&As)
Can i use ready credit card from bendigo in indonesia
Hi David, Upon checking, yes, you can use your card in Indonesia. You can use it wherever mastercard is accepted. Thanks!
Bendigo Ready credit card mentions it has no foreign fees such as international transaction fees. Does this also include no fees on currency conversion?
Hi Victor, yes that’s correct. If you use the Bendigo Ready card outside Australia (or online with international merchants), you will not be charged a foreign transaction fee. But, there might still be currency conversion fees, and ATM and cash advance fees if you withdraw money overseas.
How can I apply for a credit card
Am a Bendigo bank existing customer
Hi Doreen, we’re currently not partnered with the Bendigo Ready card however you can head on over to their official website to apply. Thanks!
I am leaving for an overseas holiday on Monday May 5. If I apply in person at my Bendigo Bank for Ready Credit card on Tuesday 22 April how long will it take to receive a physical card?
Hi Peter, it’s a tight turnaround time you’ve got there. Some providers offer a 60 second response, but if there’s more information needed by Bendigo it could take longer. If you’re approved you’ll get your card generally between 5-14 business days. Have a great holiday Peter!
Can I use this card with ALIPAY when I travel to China??
Hi Buddy, I've personally never had to go through this process. But if I did, I would try setting up my account before travelling and doing a test transaction at a retailer based in Australia who accepts ALIPAY. If you do manage to get it working, we'd love to hear from you. Enjoy your trip too!
I would like to apply for Bendigo Ready Credit Card. Please let me know how to apply for it.
Hi Seng, we are not partnered with Bendigo at the moment. You can check out their official website for more information and to apply. Thanks!
How do I apply for this card
Hi Jack, we are not partnered with Bendigo at the moment. You can check out their official website for more information and to apply. Thanks!
what is the international exchange rate?
Hi Victor, I did some digging and it looks like the Mastercard exchange rate is used and applied at the time the transaction is settled, not processed. Hope that answers your question!
Hi. How much is the Purchase protection insurance for Bendigo Ready Credit Card?
Hi Belen, the included cover is free you’ll just need to pay an excess of $250 for any claim you make. As long as you’ve put the entire purchase price of the item on your Bendigo card, you’ll be covered. You can read more on page 70 of the Bendigo insurance PDF.
I want a credit card with a $5000. Limit
Hi Dianne, the credit limit is set by the credit provider and may vary based on factors determined from information you provide during the application. You’ll be able to request a credit limit during the application, but it’s up to the provider to decide whether or not you’ll be approved for that amount.
Hi i am looking for a credit card to use overseas, iam retired, with a super retirement pension as my income, does the bank take that as an income?
Hi Maureen, yes, if your income comes from a managed or self-funded super, you’re eligible to apply. You’ll need to show your superfund statement and bank statements showing regular income. You can see more about the eligibility requirements for Bendigo on our seniors guide. All the best!
You mentioned Bendigo Ready Credit Card sitting nicely in the middle. What other card would you recommend. At the moment I have Lattitude which charges an annual fee. I mainly use my card while travelling abroad. Thanks
Hi Ryan! Latitude is still a great card, but there is also the Bankwest Breeze which has a $59 annual fee, no foreign fees and travel insurance. You can also check out Bankwest Zero Platinum
, which has no annual fee and no foreign fees, but doesn’t come with travel insurance. They’re all good options for travellers! Thanks Ryan!
What is a balance transfer? I am looking for automatic payment from my bank account monthly or whenever the repayments become due. Does balance transfer mean you charge me a fee to repay and transfer money to the credit card?
Hi Robert, balance transfer lets you move a balance from an existing credit or store card to another card with a different provider and pay it off without interest. It’s a way of managing debt. What you’re after is an autopay feature, which most credit card providers offer - usually you set it up via online banking or their app after you have the card. Thanks!
Im a penioner and I need a new credit card with a limit of roughly $1,000. as I travelled to Sydney last week and our joint credit card(with another bank which is paid in full each month) had a stop put on it for what reason we are yet to find out so I would love a seperate card for these times. Many thanks, Douglas
Hi Douglas, the bank may have put a stop on your account as an anti-scam measure, maybe because transactions were suddenly happening in a different part of Australia. A call to the bank should sort that out. If you just want a card to use for emergencies, you could look at cards with no annual fee. We have a list of cards that suit pensioners. Lastly, I put together a list of banks that mention pensions in the eligibility criteria that might be worth checking out before you apply. Thanks Douglas!
how to apply ?
Hi Donna, we are not partnered with Bendigo at the moment. You can check their official website to apply. Thanks!
I tried to apply online, it was unseccessful and got an automated reply:
Thank you for applying for a Bendigo Ready Credit Card, application number 032034734.
Unfortunately, we've been unable to identify you electronically. If you still want to apply for a Bendigo Ready Credit Card, you'll need to attend a Bendigo Bank branch, present your ID in person, and complete a new application.
Next steps:
Call your nearest branch to make an appointment
Bring your ID and income documents (the branch can advise you what to bring if you're not sure)
At your appointment, the branch will complete a new application
I went to Sunshine branch last week, they got my details and said will email with the required info for the application bu have not heard since then.
What should I do now ?
Hi Trieu, I’ve had a similar situation. I just kept calling the branch and asking for updates. It can take a little time (10 days is not uncommon), but it doesn’t hurt to give them a call to see what’s up. It would be a good idea to check your credit file to make sure that no “hard enquiries” have been placed on your file by Bendigo first. Thanks and good luck!
I used to have 28 degrees master card, since they started charging a monthly fee I closed their account. I am looking to have a travel card that doesn't international transaction fee or foreign currency conversion fee. Is this Bendigo ready one of that kind?
Sri, yep the Bendigo Ready has no foreign fees and no annual fee either. It includes international travel insurance too. You can check our No Foreign Fee Cards for other card ideas. Thanks!
Hi. I am wondering how the exchange rate is calculated or used on purchases made overseas using a Bendigo Ready Credit card.
Hi David, Bendigo uses the Mastercard conversion rate which you can see here, but it’s not stated if there’s any margin added on top by Bendigo. Thanks!
Can I apply for a credit card at your branch
Amayzingone
3 January 2025Dont know why this credit card is classed as "middle of the pack" by the author. This credit card overlooked by nearly every credit card comparison site including this one! Is this a deliberate omission? To me, when you get Platinum benefits including complementary travel insurance and zero foreign transaction fees for ZERO annual fee it clearly becomes the No.1 choice for credit cards. The only feature missing is rewards points. NB: Application process is very cumbersome and lengthy. Might take 2 months to get an approval.
Recommends this card